INTERVIEW SKILLS

Career Development Center

California State University, Los Angeles
www.calstatela.edu/careercenter (323) 343-3237

Congratulations! The resume and/or job application you recently filled out got you a job interview. Now what? How do you get
ready for that all-important interview?

It is possible that you could be hired after this interview, but it is now more common for the first interview to be part of a sequence or
series of interviews. You might even find yourself being interviewed by a panel of interviewers, or as part of a group of other
candidates who are vying for jobs. This flyer has been written, however, under the assumption that you will first be involved in a one-
on-one, face-to-face interview, and that you must overcome this hurdle before you move on in the hiring process.

Youve heard that the real estate mantra is location location location? Well, the interviewing mantra is preparation
preparation preparation. Use this flyer, as well as Interview Attire, to help yourself prepare for your job interview.

Preparing For an Interview The Pre-Test

Yes No

____ ____ 1. Have you interviewed yourself to determine your specific skills and personal characteristics?
Know thyself. Be able to discuss: 1) specific skills that you have learned through coursework, projects,
internships or job situations (examples: financial analysis, data processing, customer service, communication skills
and supervision of others); and 2) personal characteristics which would make you a valuable employee (examples:
traits on which you have been complimented, e.g., dependability, working well with others, and being accurate and
thorough in your work).

____ ____ 2. Can you clearly state your career goals?
Formulate specific and realistic career goals. Example: Seeking entry-level programmer position with the
eventual goal of progressing to systems analyst.

____ ____ 3. Can you name alternate job titles that companies/agencies use which fit your academic major and work
experience?
Research job titles and job descriptions in your field. Use career publications which describe various jobs as
well as job search websites and the Help Wanted classified ads.

____ ____ 4. Do you know the beginning salaries for the positions which you are targeting?
The Career Center Library has national salary surveys and a Cost of Living Index for all areas of the country.

____ ____ 5. Do you have a list of target companies/agencies and do you know how to research these companies and
use the information obtained?
Attend a Job Search Strategies Workshop offered by the Career Center. Additional information and resources
on researching employers can be found in the Career Center Library and J FK Library.

____ ____ 6. Are you familiar with the organizational structure, services, programs and products of the company to
which you are applying?
The company binders in the Career Center Library and company websites provide specific information on
products, divisions of the company, and other information. You can also find company information, as well as
information about the companys industry and competition, from such sites as www.hoovers.com

____ ____ 7. Do you know what CHOICES can do for you?
CHOICES is a computer-assisted career assessment program that focuses on interests, abilities, experiences and
work-related values. It provides job titles and descriptions, employment outlook information as well as information
on graduate programs. CHOICES can help you research salaries in your chosen field, and this knowledge can help
you in your job interview. CHOICES is accessible from the Career Center Library.


BREAKING DOWN THE INTERVIEW

Most first interviews follow a relatively standard format consisting of three stages.
An understanding of these will help you improve your interview skills. Your goal? To present the image of an intelligent,
likeable, and confident and job candidate who will easily fit into the work environment.
STAGE ONE, The Introduction: STAGE THREE, The Close:

The final stage of the interview is an opportunity for you to
ask any additional questions you might have about the position
and to let the interviewer know how interested you are in the
position.
The interviewer gets an impression of you in the first twenty
seconds of the interview. Make it a good impression! This is
the social stage of the interview where the candidate and the
interviewer establish a rapport with one another. The
interviewer will probably take the lead in this part of the
interview by providing some background on the company and
the position. Here are some hints to keep in mind for this
segment.

At this point in the interview you will want to do the
following:
Recap your strengths as they relate to the position.
Greet the interviewer with a smile. Wait until you are
asked to be seated.
Let the employer know you are capable and willing to
perform the tasks involved.
Offer a firm handshake: this will demonstrate your
confidence.
Show enthusiasm for the job!
State that you would fit into the organizational structure
as it was outlined to you. Ask if it is OK for you to take notes. If you are given
permission to do so, these brief notes might trigger good
questions for you to ask later.
Ask when a decision will be made. Make sure you have
the interviewers calling card.
Address the interviewer respectfully by his/her last name.
Maintain eye contact.
Try to be yourself and show interest in the company. You
may want to comment on what you have learned about the
company through your research.

FOLLOW UP, Thank the Interviewer:

Speak clearly, and maintain eye contact.
In addition to being polite, sending a thank-you letter is crucial
to your marketing plan. It allows you to get your name,
qualifications, and interest in the position across to the
interviewer one more time. Send it immediately!










Remember: Interviewing is a skill that can be learned.
Attend a Take Control of Your Interview workshop,
or meet with a career counselor to discuss your
responses before you begin interviewing. Mock
interviews and practice with PerfectInterview are
highly recommended as well. With practice, you will
become more comfortable with interviewing.

If you have not heard from the interviewer within the time
frame that was mentioned in the interview, call or email to
find out where you stand in the job competition.



STAGE TWO, Information Exchange:

This part of the interview allows both you and the interviewer
to gather information about each other. Remember,
interviewing is a two-way process. You are determining
whether or not this is the kind of company for which you want
to work, and the interviewer is trying to determine if you
would be a good employee and fit in well with the companys
work environment. Here are some suggestions:






Relax, be yourself, maintain good posture and positive
body language, and be attentive to the interviewer.

You must be prepared to respond to questions in this
portion of the interview. Provide details, examples and
stories that will help the employer remember you.



Dont be afraid to ask for a question to be re-stated: you
want to make sure you understand the question.


Ask a few probing questions that will give you a good
understanding of the responsibilities of the job.


More Preparation Tips

1. Plan ahead. Know where your interview will be
held and find out where to park. You might even
want to drive there ahead of time to determine
best routes, time needed, etc.

2. Get proper rest the night before.

3. Eat and drink something on the day of the
interview, but avoid caffeine and spicy foods
that could make you uncomfortable.

4. Do deep breathing exercises to release tension
and clear your mind.

5. You must never be late for an interview. If you
arrive very early, walk around the block.
Maintain eye contact.


SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND RELATED ADVICE

Determine what the interviewer is looking for in a candidate,
and give those qualities back to him/her, bearing in mind how
they relate to the position in question. In general, the
employer is impressed with interviewees who can show the
following qualities, among others:

Good communication skills
Strong work ethic
Flexibility
Good attitude
Professionalism

Here are general questions that are frequently asked during a
first interview, and tips on how to respond to them.


Tell Me About Yourself: Talk about your major and how
you became interested in it, your expected graduation date,
and why you are interested in the position for which you are
interviewing. From there you may want to discuss job
experience and internships, as well as volunteer experiences
and campus involvement. The interviewer is looking for
communication skills and your recent history, not childhood
stories.

What Do You Consider Your Most Significant
Accomplishment? This can help you score big! Take time to
prepare this answer in advance. Describe in detail your
situation and what the outcome or result was. Indicate what
qualities were required to achieve this accomplishment and
follow with a question like, Is this something your company
might value?

Why Do You Believe You Are Qualified For This Position?
Choose two or three main factors about the job and about your
past experience that are most relevant. Again, use examples
from internships, Cooperative Education assignments, or paid
and volunteer positions. Select technical, organizational, or
planning skills that tie in to the position.

Have You Ever Accomplished Something You Didnt
Think You Could? The interviewer is trying to determine
your goal orientation, work ethic, personal commitment, and
integrity. Provide a good example that demonstrates how you
overcame numerous difficulties to succeed. Prove you are not
a quitter and that you will get going when the going gets
tough.

How Do You Handle Pressure? Do You Like Or Dislike
These Situations? High achievers tend to perform well in
high-pressure situations. If you perform well under stress,
provide a good example with details, giving an overview of
the situation.

What Are Your Career Goals? Where Do You See
Yourself Five Years From Now? Be realistic! You may
state some specific goals that include promotions within your
field, or you may express that you would like an opportunity
to explore your field and make decisions along the way.






What Do You Consider Your Most Significant
Strength(s)? Be prepared. Know your three or four key
strengths, or best stuff. Be able to discuss each with a
specific example. Select those attributes that are most
compatible with the job. Be specific; dont use management
or good interpersonal skills. They are too vague. Instead,
talk about planning, problem solving, organizational or
communication skills.

What Do You Consider Your Most Significant Weakness?
Do not reveal character flaws or significant problems.
Everyone has a weakness; however, it is best to describe how
you are working on turning your weakness into a strength.
You may choose to describe a situation that was once a
problem and emphasize how you overcame it. An appropriate
response would be, To strengthen my communication skills, I
have joined Toastmasters.

Deadlines, Frustrations, Difficult People And Silly Rules
Can Make A Job Difficult. How Do You Handle These
Types Of Situations? Most companies face these types of
problems daily. If you cannot deal with petty frustrations, you
will be seen as a problem. You may state your mild
displeasure with these issues, but how you overcome them is
most important. Diplomacy and common sense can often
prevail even in difficult circumstances.

Why Should We Hire You For This Position? What Kind
Of Contribution Would You Make? This provides an
opportunity for you to summarize your strengths based on the
requirements of the position. Relate to specific attributes and
accomplishments. Let the interviewer know you are a team
player and that you will fit into their organizational structure.

ILLEGAL QUESTIONS
Federal and state law forbids employers from asking illegal
questions in a job interview that would address such areas as
age, sex, national origin, religion, disabilities, or marital
status. Employers questions must be related to the job you
are seeking.
If asked an illegal question, you have three options. You
could answer it, you can refuse to answer it, or you could
examine the question for its intent and respond with an answer
as it might apply to the job. For example, you could be asked,
What country are you from? Rather than answer directly,
you could respond I am authorized to work in the United
States.



OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are your long-range career goals?
How would you describe yourself and how would others
describe you?
Do you prefer working by yourself or with others?
What is most important to you: security, power, money, the
work environment, or the type of work?
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
Describe your ideal job.
Do you object to working overtime?
Can you take criticism without feeling upset?
What types of people annoy you?
Do you have any objections to taking a psychological test? To
a drug test?
Are you willing to spend at least six months as a trainee?
Why did you apply to work for this company?
Why should I hire you? How would the company benefit
from your services?
What qualifications do you have that make you feel that you
will be successful in your field?
How could you contribute to the organization?
If you were hiring an individual for this position, what
qualifications/qualities would you look for?
Why did you choose this field of work?
How has your education prepared you for a career?
What subjects do you like most/least? Why?
Do you plan to continue your education? Do you plan to go
for an advanced degree?

QUESTIONS FOR EDUCATION CANDIDATES:
If you are among the many students pursuing a career in
education, these are the types of questions you can expect:
What is your philosophy of education? Of discipline? What
issues in education are of greatest concern to you? Why?
Describe the role of the teacher in the learning process.
What is the role of the teacher in the community?
How would you individualize instruction in your classroom?
Why do you want to teach?
What special abilities do you have that would benefit your
students?
Do you grade on ability or effort? Why?
If you found out the slower learners in the class could not read
the grade-level book, what would you do?


How do you develop lesson plans? What are the most
important issues in planning and developing them?
How do you organize your classroom so that time on task is
maximized?
Tell me about your student teaching experience.
How do you work with a student who is very anxious about
reading (math, etc)?
Are you interested in working with students in some
extracurricular activity?

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER:
The best candidates are those who ask thoughtful questions.
What is the next step in the interview process?
To whom would I be reporting?
Would you describe an average day on the job?
Will you show me an organizational chart? Where would I fit
in?
What do you look for in candidates?
Who would be my boss and to whom does she/he report?
What projects or tasks would you like to see accomplished in
the near future?
What are the most important qualifications for the position?
Do you promote from within?
Is there a training program for new recruits and when does it
begin and what is the length of the program? How many
individuals go through the program each year?
Are advanced training programs available for those who
demonstrate outstanding ability?
How often are performance reviews given?
How would you describe your organizations management
style?
What is the next step in the selection process?











Finally, Ten Interview Donts

Dont speak poorly of past employers.
Dont project a cynical attitude.
Dont try to be funny (although a genuine
sense of humor is appreciated).
Dont complain, whine or blame others.
Dont appear needy and desperate for a job.
Dont flirt with the interviewer.
Dont be a know-it-all.
Dont be rude to the receptionist or office
staff.
Speak neither too softly nor too loudly.
Dont ever show bad manners.